Too many get handouts

June 24, 2012

There have been letters sent to the OBSERVER's People's column by people expressing their complete dissatisfaction with our public officials on either a federal or state level.

It seems all those who are taxpayers want to know why our money - yes, our money, not theirs to do with as they please - is being spent on those free programs but not free for those of us who pay the price.

Yes, free programs. I will now give you statistics on those so-called free programs. 49.1 percent of people who live in the United States are being publicly subsidized for one program or another. This includes welfare.

For example, the state of Maine, which is considered a small state in comparison to other states, has a welfare program that has an average of 48 percent on public assistance. The city of New York has a population of approximately 8 million, and one-third of that population is on welfare. This goes on and on throughout this country. This is home of the free but not free for the United States taxpayer.

It is free for those who receive public assistance for medical, dental, homes, cars, fuel, cell phones and groceries. They get paid to go see a doctor whether they need to or not. The 300 block on Central Avenue in Dunkirk should be renamed Give Away Avenue.

Thanks for your patience. Talk to you later.

RICHARD MAKUCH,

Dunkirk

City work is appreciated

Editor, OBSERVER:

I would like to publicly thank Mayor A.J. Dolce, Councilman William Rivera, and especially Police Chief Ortolano and Public Works Director Tony Gugino for their prompt action in resolving a parking issue that has existed near my home on Central Avenue.

The last administration, led by former Mayor Richard Frey, ignored my request for the last six years. Too often we are quick to expect that our requests will be taken care of when promised.

This problem was fixed right away when asked recently and I sincerely appreciate the quick response.